And doesn't seem to be running like it used to.

Any ideas on what I can clean up to get it fast again? I just turned it on, opened Firefox to type this, and checked the task manager... It says I have 69 active processes... Doesn't that sound extreme?

... It says I have 69 active processes... Doesn't that sound extreme?
Yep, I have less than 40 right now...I use WinPatrol to control my startup programs; It lets you disable programs you don't need at startup.

Yep, I have less than 40 right now...I use WinPatrol to control my startup programs; It lets you disable programs you don't need at startup.

How do you do that? How do you know which ones you don't need? How do I get rid of all the AOL shit that the computer came with?

http://www.download.com/WinPatrol/3000-8022_4-10475114.html?tag=lst-0-1

I disabled things that are not nessesary for startup, like iTunes, MSN Msgr., AIM. And I would delete all that AOL crap(Add and Remove Programs). Then again you might want a 2nd opinion...I'm not what you would call "1337". :)

just start deleting shit. If you delete something you needed to run, all you have to do is a clean install. The best thing to do is just go in steps, get rid of all the stuff you know you don't need, reboot to make sure it works. Then go on to the stuff you don't really want to run.







that or do a web search, there are tons of pages out there with suggested settings for windows.

how about you print out your running processes and the items that start in msconfig (start -> run -> msconfig) and we'll tell you what to delete.

I am running 29 processes. I should be lower but I have steam, WMP, AIM, MSN messenger, yahoo, and IE open DL a couple things, and running firefox for my browsing. My commit charge is 218544K wheter that is good or not I dont know.

Processes: 55 total, 2 running, 53 sleeping... 186 threads
This is unix, however...

Best way to get rid of shit on your computer is to back up what you need, wipe the drive (Zero it if you want to do it right), reinstall the OS with only what you need (Usually a "Custom install" button, then go through that list), reinstall new versions of all the software you use, then reload your documents.
I did that early this year with my iBook and it ran 10x faster. Then I doubled the RAM and it ran smooth as silk.

Sure, it's kind of a pain, but OEM OS installs (especially windows) throw in a whole mess of shit you don't need, won't ever use, etc.

But I'm not a windows guy, so what the fuck do I know.